EDWARDS SHOULD PROVE HIS POPULISM (LOL!!!)

The Daily Oklahoman ^ | 3 January 2003 | Editorial Staff

[PhiKapMom]

Edwards Should Prove His Populism

2003-01-03

AS HE tossed his hat into the 2004 presidential ring this week, North Carolina Sen. John Edwards vowed he would be a "champion for regular people." Don't we wish.

The handsome, well-spoken 49-year-old Democrat is just the latest politician to declare himself one of the people, a populist who will fight for the little guy in the circles of power.

In reality Edwards is a multimillionaire, his money made as a high-powered trial lawyer. No shame in that, but Americans should be wary if they see television spots of the senator piloting a tractor or chopping wood. We doubt you'll find many calluses on that man's hands.

Still, Edwards will be a formidable candidate, despite Washington whispers he's somewhat lacking in the depth department. In his first term he has earned a reputation as a terrific floor debater and for flailing witnesses in committee hearings. Good looks don't hurt.

As for the issues, Edwards voted for the Iraqi war resolution and advocates a new national intelligence-gathering agency. He says he would put off parts of the 2001 tax cut that haven't phased in yet and has called on fellow Democrats to get spending under control.

As for his man-of-the-people riff, we'll play along just a bit with this challenge: If Edwards really is a "champion for regular people," then let's see him lead the way for real tort reform in Congress in 2003.

That means pushing through limits on monetary judgments in the kinds of civil lawsuits that made him millions. Conservatives have pushed for reforms the past few years, but efforts routinely stall in the Senate, where the trial lawyers' lobby uses folks like John Edwards to block reform.

Likewise, Edwards could prove his populism by championing medical malpractice reform -- tort reform's health- care industry cousin.

In Pennsylvania, a walkout was narrowly avoided by physicians protesting the high cost and limited availability of medical malpractice insurance. Not so in West Virginia, where surgeons at four hospitals have begun a 30-day strike.

The reason doctors' insurance premiums are so high is simple: outrageous jury awards in lawsuits championed by the likes of Sen. Edwards.

The result is less health care for the regular people in America. "Juries willing to award sky-high payouts to plaintiffs poison the well for patients everywhere," the Wall Street Journal editorialized.

Edwards may not know enough about free trade or foreign policy, but tort and medical malpractice reform are two areas in which he's an expert.

He can put his money where his mouth is by voting against his trial lawyer friends on these important issues, lowering the cost of doing business and delivering health care -- improving the lives of the everyday Americans he claims to represent.

[PhiKapMom]

Thought you all would enjoy this editorial -- don't think my paper thinks much of Edwards!

BTW I bolded the last paragraph! Maybe we should all ask him if he is planning to support Tort Reform!

[PhiKapMom]

Am starting a new ping list for the 2004 Presidential Election that will also encompass Senate races. I would do two list but would assume that most of you that want to hear about the Presidential race would also like to know about Senate races in 2004! If there is enough interest, however, I will split the list.

This ping list I am using is the one from the last Senate campaign before Florida Freepers were added to it to make a super ping list. I am sure some of you that are on here probably want off.

Please let me know if you want off this list or added to the ping list. Some of you may have already elected out and I didn't get my list changed so please bear with me if you already opted out and let me know again.

This should "not" be high volume until we get closer to the election but I thought this editorial was a good time to start the new ping list.

[Free the USA]

http://www.freerepublic.com/perl/bump-list

[Miss Marple]

Keep me on the ping list!

By the way, Pelosi was just on Fox saying they are "working" on an economic plan. No plan yet, of course...just working on it.

I think they expected the President to do his plan in the State of the Union speech and the announcement that he will unveil it next week in Chicago caught them off-guard.

How sad. Heheheh.

[AntiGuv]

I'd appreciate getting added to your ping list. Thanks!

[PhiKapMom]

HEHEHE! That is too funny! On their best day they cannot get out in front of this President.

Guess he wanted them to spend this last week of vacation throwing something together while he has his all worked out! The thought of that makes my day!

[PhiKapMom]

Consider it done!

[duckman]

Can some one please tell me who "regular people" are? Are they the ones who do not need the help of laxitives?

[Miss Marple]

Pelosoi sounded a tad discombobulated. Heheheh.

I wonder what surprises we will see in the State of the Union speech!

President Bush at Fort Hood today, by the way.

[samtheman]

I don't think he's seriously running for 2004. He's trying to build his name recognition for 2008.

[Brett66]

A lot of us see through this guy and recognize him for the snake-oil salesman he is, unfortunately there are a lot of people that fall for this stuff and that makes this guy the most dangerous of all of the candidates.

[volchef]

I would like on the list please. Thanks!

[mewzilla]

Prove your populism, Johnny. Show us your client list.

BTW, does this guy remind anyone else of Norman Bates?

[PhiKapMom]

Added you to the list!

[PhiKapMom]

Can some one please tell me who "regular people" are? Are they the ones who do not need the help of laxitives?

ROFLOL!!!! Those have to be the funniest questions I have read in a long time!

[PhiKapMom]

That's why I was glad to see this editorial -- get the facts out there! I think he will run too but not in 2004 -- 2008 is my guess as well!

[1Old Pro]

UGH, Edwards can champion this.

[PhiKapMom]

Can you imagine what must go through the RAT's minds everytime Pres Bush gets ready to speak? They never know what is coming at them next!

It is funny to watch them try to get out in front and get double barrelled in the process. The best one lately was ms. clinton all set with the radio address to attack him on unemployment benefits and that was his topic for the Saturday address -- time to give additional benefits. Would have loved to have been a fly on the wall with ms. clinton yelling!

[CPT Clay]

Time for his Sister Soulja moment.

[CanisRex]

I don't think he's seriously running for 2004. He's trying to build his name recognition for 2008

Sam, he's running for President because he doesn't have a snowball's chance of getting re-elected Sen. from NC. I doubt he could come back and be anything if he loses the pres. race in '04. This is his one shot at staying in politics. Kind of like Clinton in AR. He had bankrupted the state and likely stood to be run out of the South on a rail but pulled it out with a DEM nom and win. Now we're stuck with the liar forever.